Another gem from Jeff Van Gundy

[Andrew]

If Jeff Van Gundy has a trademark as a commentator, it's fearlessly making bold declarations about moves and rule changes that in his mind absolutely need to be made. He's come out with another entertaining one during the first quarter of the Magic/Hornets game: given Darren Collison's play, the Hornets need to trade Chris Paul while they can.

His suggested package? Chris Paul and bad contracts to Memphis for Rudy Gay, OJ Mayo, Marc Gasol and a first round pick. Somehow, I don't see it happening.

[benji]

Well, the Hornets do desperately need to move salary. They literally cannot afford the team as it is. That deal would give them Mayo, Gasol, West (who can still be moved), Collison, Okafor, Thornton and Julian Wright. (I assume they'd let Gay leave.) That's not a horrible core and has some nice young assets.

The question is, would Memphis take it? (I'd say yes, even if they had to take Pedja and MoPete back, they have basically no one on the books for 2011 anyway, and both guys expire then as well. You can't pass up the potential best PG in history.)

[Andrew]

True, moving bad contracts would be for the best and that's a lot of talent they're getting in return. As you said, the Grizzlies can't really pass up the opportunity to acquire Paul but then by the same token, should the Hornets be looking to trade him?

[benji]

Unfortunately he's the only large contract they can move and use to make someone else take Pedja and MoPete. (Maybe Okafor too?)

West they can move, but they can move him because his contract isn't that bad.

[J@3]

I think that's overvaluing Paul. Even Kobe in his prime when there were all sorts of trade rumours flying around wasn't getting offers like that. Wasn't it Dirk and Josh Howard or some garbage guys from the Bulls?

[Andrew]

Unfortunately he's the only large contract they can move and use to make someone else take Pedja and MoPete. (Maybe Okafor too?)

True, but is it worth giving up the best point guard in the NBA - and since you brought it up, someone who could establish themselves as one of the best if not the best point guard in history - to get rid of some of those bad contracts? Van Gundy is basically suggesting that Collison makes Paul expendable, which is a pretty bold claim.

[benji]

Yes, it is. Especially since nobody would buy the franchise in this financial state.

[Rip32]

The people on GameFAQ's have been talking about this for weeks. I'll give them Stuckey, Daye, Prince, and this year's first round pick for Paul and Peja, and that still probably isn't a fair deal.

I like Collison and I haven't had a chance to watch him yet in the NBA, but isn't he a little on the small side to be a starting PG in the NBA? He was a great defender at UCLA, but I don't know if he's a defensive liability at 159 pounds? God, the sad thing is for financial reasons that idea isn't totally out of the question at all.

[Andrew]

He didn't seem to get pushed around too much against the Magic today, though obviously his slight stature is always going to be a potential handicap against bigger backcourts. It looks like he might be one of those players who can play much bigger than his size would have you believe though, using quickness, cunning and toughness to hold his own.

[Modifly]

Collison has been putting up Chris Paul stats lately hasn't he? Something like 20 points to go along with 10 assists. He really impress me.

[J@3]

Collison's one of the fastest players I've ever seen. He made Jennings look like Oliver Miller the other night.

[Andrew]

Collison has been putting up Chris Paul stats lately hasn't he? Something like 20 points to go along with 10 assists. He really impress me.

He's doing pretty well and it looks like he's got a bright future. But to say he's made Chris Paul expendable is a big call, one that Van Gundy backed off a little on later in the game.

[George7]

Collison is a big surprise IMO.
I don't know if he can pass over an uninjured CP3 ,but he can do well in his career

[NovU]

Watching Collison playing, I got the feeling his plays resemble Paul's in many ways. I think being with Paul really helped his game to develop in the right way.

[Andrew]

If nothing else it's probably taken some of the pressure off him and spared him the microscope treatment.

[atlwarrior]

Not only has Collison stepped up but Marcus Thornton is also playing well. I know i always talk about this guy but hes ballin right now. He could easily take that starting spot from Peterson if he hasnt already. Dude knows how to get buckets

[NovU]

Another great game by Collison but in a losing effort. He still needs to improve in many aspects of his games, but scoring seems to be the least problem for him at this pace. When those big numbers from him start to translate to win columns, then I think the NOH should start considering trading Chris Paul. Right now, I think Jeff Van Gundy was bit too quick to make that comment.

[Klayface]

Last night during the Spurs-Hornets game Van Gundy brought up how he was watching Emeka Okafors brother who is in high school play basketball, and how good he was. He then went on to say hes actually a much better football player than basketball player, based on "scouting reports". A quarter or 2 passes by when Van Gundy states he was just contacted by Okafors PR guy, and he said Emeka has no brother.

[Andrew]

Weird. Still better than Mark Jackson though.

[shadowgrin]

I spit on Andrew for dissing Mark Jackson.

Seems like JVG has been visiting the bottle before games.

[Andrew]

To be fair, Jackson isn't too bad when he's not calling a Lakers game.